Loading Tractor - What Angle is too steep?

skycarp · Apr 6, 2009

Does this look too steep an angle for loading this tractor? My butt is really sucking the seat when I am at this angle. I have 140 lbs hanging on the front for down pressure on the front end but I still feel like it may be a problem at sometime.

Thanks for your comments.

Dean

Jim in Ma. · Apr 6, 2009

I sometimes have to load them about that steep. Hint = If you can back it on so you can drive it off it's better on your nerves lol

Anonymous-0 · Apr 6, 2009

Hi Dean, Just a sugestion, if you back on the angle will not cause a tip back wards. The danger when unloading in the direction you are picturing is when you touch the brakes the torque tends to lift the front. Longer ramps andmore weight on the front can helpkeep the front down. I always loaded the way you are showing until a fellow puller pointed out .Now i always load by backing on. Also with 1 tractor you dont need to be as far forward to get enough tongue weight. Also some trailers have a ramp or dovetail which lowers the angle of loading similar to longer ramps. HTH dan wc ne wyo

Chuck Heck · Apr 6, 2009

Man, that looks steep to me! I agree with backing it on. That works better for me. Be Careful! Chuck

mattofvinings · Apr 6, 2009

That does look steep to me too!

What I use is a Coffing 1-1/2 ton "lever chain hoist". A sort of a comealong but nowhere near the $19.95 cable "come alongs".

Anyway, I've used it successfully for farm tractors and even forklifts. I sweat a little more due to hard work but I am not sweating due to fear. This also eliminates any issues with brakes marginal, or worse, brakes which don't work equally.

It spots the load up and down, I idle the engine if needed to use power steering.

Another trick is to find an "uphill" where the trailer tires can be backed close to in order to mitigate the ramp-angle. But keep in mind that "loading downhill" can be equally as scary because then you have to stop on a dime on the trailer deck.

Mike M · Apr 7, 2009

Too steep you need a bevertail on that trailer.

Oldmax · Apr 7, 2009

Try raising front of trailer with jack as high as it will go that will bring back down. I do this some times when loading.

T_Bone · Apr 7, 2009

Hi Dean,

The way I see it, You have two choices.

Extend the ramps since there too short as they are. At the ground end leave the ramp up 12" from where it's at now and add a 45º kicker ramp back to the ground for starting the tires up the ramp. This would change the loading angle of the ramps allot. Draw it out on paper.

Add a I-beam dovetail to the back of the trailer frame and use your existing ramps. After cutting the I-beam at the desired angle then flip the cut off section over and reattach it back the the top of the new dovetail I-beam as this adds allot of strength to the ramp. Just skip weld the two webs together.

If I remember correct, the dovetail is 20º, but I'd have too look. If that is a bumper puller then you can NOT haul weight on the dovetail without changing the axle center line.

T_Bone

larry cook · Apr 7, 2009

dont know what angle that it but its to steep. as suggested, back the tractor on or modify your ramps.
larry

glennster · Apr 7, 2009

that does look a steep one!!!. if you dont want to modify the trailer, i would pick up an electric winch and load-unload the tractor with the winch. slow up, slow down, you aint on it, and dont get the pucker factor.

showcrop · Apr 7, 2009

Mike, thanks for calling it a beaver tail. Isn't that what they were until 5-10 years ago? when I see dovetail I think of the joint they use in making drawers in bureaus etc.

john_Bud · Apr 7, 2009

It's getting steep, but not that bad. You don't want to put it there then pop the clutch -- but it shouldn't scare you off.

I would agree with adjusting the back leg supports of the trailer to allow it to dip down with the weight. Letting it go down 6-8" will make a big difference. Much more than that and you would want to put a 6x12 between the trailer tires so it doesn't run off. You can also add a 4x12 under the back edge of the ramps to raise and effectively extend them.

jb

F-350 · Apr 8, 2009

Years ago I drove a 13,000 lb narrow front IH pulling tractor up
ramps just like that many a time with no problems.I did it at
about 2 mph and never touched the throttle.

Dick W. · Apr 8, 2009

That is too steep and not safe. Back it on. At least you have rear jacks on the trailer. I saw a guy load a tractor onto a trailer without rear jacks with the truck and trailer facing down hill and the whole rig took off down the hill. I hollared for him to keep pulling forward on the trailer and the rig stopped as soon as some weight got on the hitch.Stay safe!

Jason1Pa. · Apr 10, 2009

I always get a little laugh out of people asking on here if something there doing is safe. The way I look at it is: "If you don't feel very safe it probably isn't" I don't want to sound rude(cause I'm not) I'm just trying to make a point. I've seen a few almost tip overs during tractor pulls while people are loading and off loading. Biggest mistake is people without a center ramp and a narrow front end tractor. They will either have a board in the center that will break or they sneak the one front wheel along the outside ramp then cut it back over as soon as the front wheels reach the trailer. On some of these high trailers its a accident waiting to happen. Just becareful and think. Don't be cheap on safty either. It isn't worth it. Use the correct equipment for the job.

Loading Tractor - What Angle is too steep?

skycarp

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Jim in Ma.

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Anonymous-0

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Chuck Heck

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mattofvinings

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Mike M

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Oldmax

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T_Bone

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larry cook

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glennster

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showcrop

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john_Bud

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F-350

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Dick W.

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Jason1Pa.

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